Theme T36 · Resources & Economic Geography
Oil & gas: global distribution, shale, refineries
4PYQs
4GS1
2013–20254 distinct years
1asked 2024–26
What UPSC asks
UPSC asks about world distribution of oil (on-shore vs off-shore), multi-dimensional impacts of uneven distribution, shale gas in India, and why refineries are located away from oil fields.
Prepare these
- Sedimentary basins and off-shore continental shelves
- Geopolitics of uneven oil distribution
- Shale gas: reserves, water and technology constraints
- Refinery location: market, port, pipelines
Answer writing
- Connect geography to economic and geopolitical consequences
Directive words in these PYQs: Discuss (2), Explain (1), Critically (1).
Linked themes
Comes back later in
Later themes that take this one further.
Step 140: Energy security & energy independenceStep 146: West Asia: energy security, Israel, Iran, I2U2
On the map
Map module 4: World physical frameworkMap module 6: Resources & agricultureMap module 7: Industry & infrastructurePractise in the sketch lab: GS1 2013Practise in the sketch lab: GS1 2017
Syllabus lines covered
- GS1-L11 — Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)
All 4 PYQs, newest first
- GS1202515 marks · 250 wordsGS1-GEO-05-M2025-Q14
- GS12021GS1-GEO-05-M2021-S02
Discuss the multi-dimensional implications of uneven distribution of mineral oil in the world.
- GS12017GS1-GEO-06-M2017-S01
- GS12013GS1-GEO-05-M2013-S02