Statement re South Pars Iran

Total S.A.
21 March 2007


2, place de la Coupole 
La Defense 6
92 400 Courbevoie France     
Tel: [phone] 
Fax: [phone]

Jerome SCHMITT
Laurent WOLFFSHEIM
Philippe HERGAUX  
Sandrine SABOUREAU  

Robert HAMMOND (US)
Tel: [phone] 
Fax: [phone]

TOTAL S.A.
Capital 5 981 907 383 euros    
542 051 180 R.C.S. Nanterre

www.total.com


                         South Pars Iran : Clarification 

Paris, March 21, 2007 - Following media reports this day, Total believes it is
important to clarify the Group's position with regards to the ongoing French 
judicial inquiry into the company's activities in Iran opened in December 2006 
around the South Pars project signed in 1997 between Total and the NIOC 
(National Iranian Oil Company).

-   Three Total employees, including Mr. de Margerie, Total Chief Executive 
    Officer, will be heard today by investigators of French financial police 
    (BRDE).

-   Total fully supports its employees and underlines that the agreements signed 
    in 1997 were done so in accordance to applicable laws.

-   Total is confident in the fact that investigation will establish the absence 
    of any illegal activities and hopes that it will be conducted with serenity.

-   Total has a strict code of conduct and adheres to it in all countries where 
    the Group is present regardless of the difficulties linked to its activities 
    and the environments in which it operates.

                                  ******

Total is one of the world's major oil and gas groups, with activities in more 
than 130 countries. Its 95,000 employees put their expertise to work in every 
part of the industry - exploration and production of oil and natural gas, 
refining and marketing, gas trading and electricity. Total is working to keep 
the world supplied with energy, both today and tomorrow. The Group is also a 
first rank player in chemicals. www.total.com





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