It will name an independent mediator to review claims arising from the Gulf of Mexico oil rig disaster, British oil producer BP said on Wednesday.

It has received more than 26,000 claims and made payments exceeding $36 million, BP has said on its Web site.

BP Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward said, "We are absolutely committed to a simple, fair claims process that gets funds to people who have been hurt by this disaster as quickly as possible. We have opened claims offices across the region, and will make every effort to reach everyone who has a legitimate claim. And we will appoint an independent mediator so that we have as fair a process as possible for everyone in the gulf region."

Eleven workers died and tens of millions of gallons of crude oil have gushed into the gulf since the Deepwater Horizons oil rig it leased from Swiss firm Transocean blew up April 20 and sank two days later.

It established the claims process in accordance with the requirements of the Oil Pollution Act, BP further said. If a claim is not resolved and paid within 90 days, claimants can submit a claim against the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and ultimately sue BP.

It was also reported that BP said on its Web site it will work to pay "all legitimate claims as quickly as possible." The company said appointing an independent mediator is "a recognized practice to strengthen claims processes and resolve disputes."

Adding it is working to appoint "the best possible person to fill this important role," BP said that who the mediator will be had yet to be determined. (With Inputs from Agencies)