ISLAMABAD (APP) - Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has sought expression of interest (EOI) to grant licences for 53 exploration blocks located in different parts of the country. After unveiling the new petroleum policy, the ministry has invited all the interested companies to submit expression of interest for grant of exploration rights, official sources told APP Wednesday. Director General Petroleum (Concessions) from time to time has been receiving applications from various companies seeking petroleum exploration rights for 53 blocks. Following are the names of exploration blocks for which EOI has been invited; 2769-16 (Mari East), 3273-3(Ghauri), 2568-18 (Gambat South), 3066-5(Bostan), 2561-3(Jiwani), 2667-12 (Baran), 3068-6(Killa Saifaullah), 2467-12 (Jungshahi), 2967-4(Harnai South), 2771-3(Khangarh West), 3067-5 (Ziarat North), 2667-11(Zamzama South), 2967-3(Quetta South), 3270-9 (Karak West), 3169-2(Zhob), 2764-3(Palantak), 3068-7(South Qila Saifullah), 3373-3(Chhanni Pull), 3170-6 (D.I.Khan), 3273-4 (Warnali), 3069-8 (Kingri), 2568- 19(Digri), 2866-4(Margand), 2970-5 (Rajanpur), 3272-16(Lilla), 2467- 13(Malir), 3271-5(Makhad), 3072-7 (Okara), 3069-7(Shanni), 2564- 2(Parkini Block A), 2564-3 (Parkini Block B), 2466-8(Karachi), 3067- 6(Sharan), 2569-3(Sanghar South), 35 2568-21(Kotri North), 2468- 10(Sirani),2866-3(Khuzdar North), 2668-9(Naushahro Firoz), 2670- 1(Bitirsim East), 2763-4(Kharan West), 2763-3(Kharan), 2764-4(Kharan East), 3372-23(Hisal), 2568-20 (Sukhpur), 2969-10(D.G.Khan), 3371- 13(Peshawar), 2564-4(Rasmalan), 2564-5(Rasmalan West), 3270- 7(Zindan), 2468-12 (Kotri), 2969-9 (Jandran West), 3371-15 (Dhoke Sultan) and 3068-4 (Lakhi Rud). They said after approval of the Petroleum Policy-2009, the Model Petroleum Concession Agreement (PCA) and Pakistan Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Rules are in the process of finalization. They made it clear that the EOI is aimed at intimating the the prospective bidders to prepare their offers and documentation well in time. The formal Invitation To Bid (ITB) will appear shortly, as soon as the Model PCA and the Rules are approved and notified. "This EOI is no way an ITB and no offers will be entertained, till a fresh advertisement appears in the press for formal Invitation to Bid," the sources added. They said the government is committed to promoting the active participation of Pakistani companies in oil and gas exploration activities in order to stimulate growth of domestic industry and capture the maximum economic benefit for the country and its work- force.