UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Once an Arab oil embargo victim, U.S. now becomes world’s top oil exporter

Q1. The 1973 Arab oil embargo, which cut off oil supplies to the United States, was imposed under the aegis of which one of the following organizations?

  • A. Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
  • B. Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC)
  • C. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
  • D. Arab League Economic Council

Q2. With reference to the 1973 Arab oil embargo and the rise of the United States as the world's top oil exporter by 2026, consider the following statements: 1. The 1973 embargo was imposed by OPEC as a whole, whereas the current U.S. export dominance is led primarily by state-owned enterprises. 2. In May 2026, U.S. exports of crude and fuel surpassed the combined export volumes of both Saudi Arabia and Russia individually in that month. 3. The 1973 embargo against the United States was formally lifted in March 1974. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The 1973 embargo was imposed by OPEC as a whole, whereas the current U.S. export dominance is led primarily by state-owned enterprises.
  2. In May 2026, U.S. exports of crude and fuel surpassed the export volumes of Saudi Arabia and Russia individually in that month.
  3. The 1973 embargo against the United States was formally lifted in March 1974.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Consider the following countries said to be member states of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC): 1. Iraq 2. Iran 3. Saudi Arabia 4. Libya Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as members?

  1. Iraq
  2. Iran
  3. Saudi Arabia
  4. Libya
  • A. 2 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q4. Which one of the following is the single largest crude-oil producing basin in the United States, accounting for roughly 44% of total U.S. oil output as of December 2025?

  • A. Bakken formation
  • B. Eagle Ford shale
  • C. Permian Basin
  • D. Marcellus formation

Q5. In the context of the U.S. shale revolution, the term "hydraulic fracturing" most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. Injecting high-pressure fluid into low-permeability shale rock to create fractures that release trapped oil and gas
  • B. Drilling multiple horizontal boreholes through deep-sea sedimentary basins to access offshore reserves
  • C. Treating crude oil with steam and catalysts to remove sulphur and produce low-sulphur fuels
  • D. Introducing microbial cultures into depleted reservoirs to enhance secondary oil recovery