| First, oilers must drill one or more exploratory wells on the basis of their seismic data. |
| Future tests are planned for the Merlin with RFA vessels, in particular auxiliary oilers and auxiliary oil and replenishment ships. |
| The 180-metre long oilers, officially classified as Large Fleet Tankers, are fitted with two Vulcan Phalanx close-in weapon systems. |
| One reason for sending the USS Cole to a Yemen port to refuel was because there were not enough fleet oilers to refuel the Cole at sea. |
| The Europeans are also in need of seagoing oilers and fleet replenishment vessels. |
| With the Pacific Fleet's oilers supplying fuel to ships in the Hawaiian area, it meant new supplies were not being brought in from the mainland. |
