Arbitration Claim Filed

Total S.A.
13 October 2003



Total files arbitration claim against SCH

Paris, October 13, 2003 - The actions initiated by Banco Santander Central 
Hispano (SCH) in the past weeks have shown persistent disagreements between SCH 
and Total regarding the effect, if any, of the Spanish law 26/2003 of July 17 
2003 on their contractual relations. Given these circumstances, in order to 
preserve its rights, Total filed arbitration claims against SCH today with the 
Netherlands Arbitration Institute in The Hague, in accordance with the 
arbitration provisions of the agreements between SCH and Total.

As indicated to the CNMV on October 10th 2003 Total reiterates, as well, its 
willingness to proceed with the immediate liquidation of the holding company 
Somaen Dos S.L., in order to clarify the positions of Cepsa's corporate 
shareholders and to contribute to the transparency of the market.




Total is the fourth largest oil and gas company in the world with operations in 
more than 120 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 121,000 employees worldwide. 
More information can be found on the company's website: www.total.com



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