Project Officially Launched

Total S.A.
22 September 2006


                Tempa Rossa Project Officially Launched in Italy


Paris, September 22, 2006 - Total has signed the final agreement with the
Basilicata regional authorities in southern Italy to implement the development
of the Tempa Rossa field.  This agreement also defines the Group's environmental
commitments and includes a project defining social actions with the Basilicata
region.

Tempa Rossa was discovered in 1989 in the southern Apennines. The exploitation
scheme comprises six production wells - five of which have already been drilled
- tied into a production center. Storage for liquefied petroleum gas will be
also built on the site and the oil will be piped to the terminal of the Taranto
refinery.

With initial production in 2010 and peak production of around 50,000 barrels of
oil per day, the Tempa Rossa field will significantly increase Italy's oil and
gas production.

Total is the operator with a 50% interest, alongside partners ExxonMobil
subsidiary, Esso Italiana s.r.l. (25%), and Shell (25%).

Total has had operations in Italy for around 50 years. Its interests include
stakes in other exploration licenses in the Apennines, a 71.9% stake in the Rome
refinery and a retail network of more than 1,400 service stations.


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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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