Pakistan's federal government has allocated 41 oil and gas blocks to 11 local and international companies, a senior government official said Wednesday.

"The total value of the bids is $175 million but the actual expenditures against this commitment will finally reach up to $500 million over the next three years," said G.A Sabri, special secretary in the petroleum ministry.

Among the successful companies are Oil & Gas Development Co. Ltd. (OGDC.KA), Eni SpA (E), BP and Pakistan Oilfields Ltd. (POL.KA)

The successful companies are expected to begin seismic surveys in the next two to three months, Sabri said.

 
   -By Islamabad bureau, Dow Jones Newswires; 91-11-4356-3311; neelabh.chaturvedi@dowjones.com