RNS Number:7409K
Total Fina Elf.
6 May 2003

                           May 6, 2003 General Meeting

                           TOTAL FINA ELF becomes TOTAL 
                              8% dividend increase 
                              Pursued growth policy

Paris - May 6, 2003 - At the Combined General Meeting, held on May 6, 2003 under
the Chairmanship of CEO Thierry Desmarest, TotalFinaElf shareholders approved
all the proposed resolutions supported by the Board of Directors.

During his address, Thierry Desmarest said :

"In 2002, TotalFinaElf distinguished itself as one of the most dynamic and best
performing players in the global oil industry. In a challenging international
context, with an economic downturn in Europe and severe conditions in some
countries in Latin America, the Group has continued to deliver sustained and
profitable growth. Despite the generally less favourable 2002 environment,
TotalFinaElf performed well, partially offsetting the impact of the downturn
thanks largely to a record level 10% increase in hydrocarbon production, more
than twice the rate of the other oil majors, and to the ongoing implementation
of synergy and productivity programs (...)

In the light of the current international situation, I would like to address the
company's position in the Middle East. TotalFinaElf is very active in this part
of the world, which is the most important in terms of oil production and
reserves, and our intention is to keep growing there. Our interest in Iraq is
longstanding and intact. However, we have not signed any contracts or agreements
because, as you are aware, TotalFinaElf scrupulously abides by international
laws. In the upcoming reconstruction and subsequent development of Iraq,
certainly I would expect an open and transparent bidding process for oil
contracts as we would expect to see anywhere else in the world (...)

In 2003, TotalFinaElf maintains an investment program of 8.7 billion euros with
priority given to Upstream growth. The target for hydrocarbon production is to
average 5% growth per year through 2007 (...)

In the first quarter of 2003, TotalFinaElf reported a 49% increase in net
income. Higher oil prices and a sharp rebound in European refining margins
fueled the earnings increase, more than offsetting the impacts of the falling
dollar and continued weakness in Chemicals. The positive quarterly comparison
also reflects the benefits from ongoing self-help programs, particularly oil and
gas production growth, which was 5% (...)

Among the proposed resolutions at this Meeting is the change of the Company's
name from "TOTAL FINA ELF S.A." to "TOTAL S.A.". The success of the merger
enables us to change from TotalFinaElf, which was created to bring together the
teams, to a simple and clear name that reflects the new Group that Total is
today (...)

To face the challenges of what is now defined as sustainable development, we
have decided first to do and only then to let know what we are doing. Therefore
the first Corporate and Social Responsibility report of the new Group has been
handed to you today. This report reflects our concern for assessment,
information and openness; it incorporates ambitious objectives for the coming
years. As an example, the Exploration-Production business has committed itself
to reduce greenhouse gases emissions per ton of operated production by 30%
between 1990 and 2005, from the 20% announced in 2001.

Sustainable development, social and environmental responsibility and the
commitments of a company towards society are serious issues to be addressed at a
Shareholders General Meeting.

It would be of little interest for a company to achieve good profitability 
without ensuring its future, in particular by:

*  Managing its finite resource base,
*  Ensuring that industrial processes are reliable, secure and environmently 
   friendly,
*  Successfully managing peaceful cultural integration by respecting the
   expectations of the local people.

It is my responsibility and that of all the teams to make the Group join the 
companies which will successfully meet these challenges."

During the Meeting, the 2002 accounts were approved, as was the payment of a
cash dividend of 4.10 euros per share for 2002, an increase of 8% from last
year, to which a tax credit will be added in accordance with the regulations in
force. The ex-dividend date for the shares will be May 16, 2003 and payment will
occur from that date.

In addition, the following resolutions were approved at the General Meeting:

* Change of the Company's name from "TOTAL FINA ELF S.A." to "TOTAL S.A."; the 
  new visual identity of the Group was subsequently presented at the Meeting,

* Term renewals for the following Directors for a period of three years: Mrs 
  Anne Lauvergeon, Mr Daniel Bouton, Mr Bertrand Collomb, Mr Jacques Friedmann, 
  Mr Antoine Jeancourt-Galignani, Mr Michel Pebereau, Mr Jurgen Sarrazin and Mr 
  Pierre Vaillaud,

* Ratification of the appointment of Mr Maurice Lippens, as Director, for the 
  period remaining until the end of the Shareholder's Meeting called to approve 
  the financial statements for the 2004 fiscal year,

* Authorization for the Board of Directors to trade the Company's share, 
  pursuant to the provisions of Article L. 225-209 of the French Code of 
  Commerce,

* Amendment of Articles of Incorporation to allow for the appointment of a 
  Director who is an employee shareholder.



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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