Public Exchange Offer

Total Fina Elf.
10 October 2000



TOTAL FINA ELF announces that it has today launched an exchange offer for the
outstanding minority shares in Petrofina.  This offer is valid from October 10,
2000, through November 7, 2000. Full text appears below:

                        PUBLIC EXCHANGE OFFER
                    by the French societe anonyme

                           TOTAL FINA ELF

      for all shares not yet in the possession of the societe anonyme

                              PETROFINA
    
   in return for TotalFinaElf Shares in accordance with the following terms:

for every 2(two) PetroFina shares, with coupons No.18 and subsequent coupons
tendered in this offer, 9 (nine) TotalFinaElf shares to be issued, bearing
shareholders' right as of January 1, 2000, and 9 (nine) TotalFinaElf VVPR
Strips.


               The Public Exchange Offer is valid from 
              October 10, 2000 through November 7, 2000.

          Acceptances of the offer will be presented to the 

                       BANQUE BRUXELLES LAMBERT

The prospectus containing the acceptance forms may be obtained by calling the
Banque Bruxelles Lambert at [phone] or at its registered office at 24
Avenue Marnix - 1000 Brussels

and at the Financial Communication Department of Total Fina Elf S.A., 
2 Place de la Coupole - 92078 Paris La Defense Cedex