2, place de la Coupole
La Défense 6
92 400 Courbevoie France
Fax : 33 (1) 47 44 68 21

Catherine ENCK
Tel. : 33 (1) 47 44 37 76

Patricia MARIE
Tel. : 33 (1) 47 44 45 90

Paul FLOREN
Tel. : 33 (1) 47 44 45 91

Christine de CHAMPEAUX
Tel. : 33 (1) 47 44 47 49

Bertille ARON
Tel. : 33 (1) 47 44 67 12

Laurence FRANCISCO
Tel. : 33 (1) 47 44 51 04

Mary DWYER
Tel. : 33 (1) 47 44 21 19

Isabelle CABROL
Tel. : 33 (1) 47 44 64 24

Charles-Edouard ANFRAY
Tel. : 33 (1) 47 44 65 55

Franklin BOITIER
Tel. : 33 (1) 47 44 59 81

TOTAL S.A.
Capital 6 491 182 360 euros
542 051 180 R.C.S. Nanterre

www.total.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Total takes a 26% stake in the Indian LNG
Re-gasification terminal of Hazira

Paris, March 4, 2004 – Total announces that it has signed an agreement with Shell Gas BV, a member of the Royal Dutch/Shell group of companies, to acquire a 26% stake in a liquefied natural gas (LNG) re-gasification terminal project in India. The terminal is expected to receive its first LNG cargo by year’s end and is located in Hazira, on the north-west coast of India in the Gujarat State. The transaction remains subject to approval of the relevant Indian authorities.

Once the transaction is completed, Total will hold a 26% interest in the three project companies: the port company is in charge of the construction and operation of the port under a 30 year concession; the terminal company builds and will operate the terminal; the marketing company will sell the gas. The terminal will have an initial capacity of 2.5 millions tons per annum with a goal to expand it to 5 millions tons. Supplied by the two partners from their various LNG sources, Hazira will be the first merchant LNG terminal in Asia.

With this stake in a re-gasification terminal in Asia, Total strengthens its development on gas markets and secures an access to a fast growing market for the LNG projects in which it participates.

Total is already a major LNG player, commercialising more than 6 millions tonnes in 2003. The company holds stakes in 5 natural gas liquefaction plants worldwide, a stake in a re-gasification terminal in Mexico and has signed a protocol of intent to acquire an interest in the Fos Cavaou re-gasification terminal in France.

* * * * *

Total is the fourth largest oil and gas company in the world with operations in more than 130 countries. Total’s activities cover the whole energy chain of the petroleum industry: exploration, oil and gas production, refining and marketing, trading and power generation. The Group is also a major player in chemicals through its chemicals branch, Atofina. Total has 121,500 employees worldwide. More information can be found on the company’s website: www.total.com