Prelims 2011 · archive
EasyIn the context of global oil prices, “Brent crude oil” is frequently referred to in the news. What does this term imply?
- 1.It is a major classification of crude oil.
- 2.It is sourced from the North Sea.
- 3.It does not contain sulphur.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
Brent is a benchmark (marker) crude used to price many other crudes, and it is produced in the North Sea, so statements 1 and 2 are correct. It is a light, sweet crude. Sweet means low in sulphur, not free of sulphur, so statement 3 is wrong.
- ✓ 1. Brent is one of the world's major crude benchmarks, alongside WTI and Dubai/Oman. It serves as a reference or 'marker' for pricing many other crude streams.
- ✓ 2. Brent comes from the North Sea. It is a blend of streams such as Brent and Forties (produced offshore the UK) and Ekofisk and Oseberg (produced offshore Norway).
- ✗ 3. Brent is 'sweet', which means low sulphur content. Sweet crude still contains some sulphur, so 'does not contain sulphur' is wrong.
- ✗ (d) Option (d) fails because it includes statement 3. Option (c) fails because it includes statement 3 and leaves out statement 2.
Remember · Brent = North Sea light sweet crude and a global price benchmark. 'Sweet' means low sulphur, not zero sulphur. WTI is the US benchmark; Dubai/Oman is the Gulf benchmark.
Sources
- U.S. EIA, This Week in Petroleum: Role of benchmarks in the global crude oil market (16 Oct 2014) ↗ “includes four separate light, sweet crude streams that are produced in the North Sea: Brent and Forties (produced offshore the United Kingdom) as well as Ekofisk and Oseberg (produced offshore Norway).”
- U.S. EIA, Petroleum Prices: Definitions, Sources and Explanatory Notes ↗ “A blended crude stream produced in the North Sea region which serves as a reference or "marker" for pricing a number of other crude streams.”
- U.S. EIA, Today in Energy: Crude oil quality (density and sulfur content) ↗ “Density ranges from light to heavy, while sulfur content is characterized as sweet or sour.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2011, General Studies paper. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·