THE Southampton group leading the clean-up of the worst oil spill in American history is to grow its Hampshire operation by nearly 50 per cent, it has emerged.

Southampton based Oil Spill Response has played a key role in handling the aftermath of the leak on oil giant BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico.

Now, while still involved in the massive clean-up operation, the firm has hired six new spill response specialists in November and announced an “immediate need” to hire 10 more.

It’s a major expansion for the industry funded, not-for-profit co-operative, which, before the expansion, had 34 spill response specialists based in Southampton out of 140 worldwide.

Veteran oil industry figure and Southampton man Nick Hazlett-Beard has also been hired as new Global Head of Operations.

He said: “The role is a return to my origins in response, mixed with the technical, management and international business skills I have developed over the years. Oil Spill Response has an unparalleled track record, often operating in challenging conditions, to provide global oil spill response capabilities to the oil industry, as well as implementing avoidance measures. It’s a privilege to be part of that, especially as the organisation’s standards are incredibly high.”

He said the new jobs would need the “ability to problem-solve, excellent communication skills, the willingness to travel globally and foreign language skills”.

“Successful applicants will be asked to respond to oil spill incidents anywhere in the world at short notice to assist with the clean-up of oil pollution,” he said. “We seek applications from locals in the area to fill the immediate need.”

Applicants for one of the 10 new roles will need to be have a degree in Engineering or Earth or Marine Sciences, or equivalent practical experience and live within an hour’s travel from Southampton.

OSRL, which owned by the 38 of the world's leading oil companies with a further 82 associate companies, has responded to more than 300 spills worldwide since its formation in 1985.