Stmt re Normandy Refinery

Total S.A.
31 July 2006


         DHC Startup Operations Begin at the Normandy Refinery

Paris, July 31, 2006 - Total announces the startup today of the hydrogen
production unit (Steam Methane Reformer - SMR), at the Normandy refinery near Le
Havre. This startup is the first step in the commissioning of the new distillate
hydrocracker (DHC) project.

Up to 1,000 people a day worked onsite during the construction phase, with the
project completed on time and on budget in 26 months at a cost of around €550
million. The next steps consist of bringing the sulfur recovery units on stream
in August then commissioning the hydrocracker, which will be gradually ramped up
to reach full product availability at end-September.

The units convert heavy fractions of petroleum into ultra low sulfur
distillates, such as automotive diesel and kerosene, to reduce deficits in
Europe. They will have an annual production capacity of 1.3 million metric tons
of sulfur-free automotive diesel, 200,000 metric tons of sulfur-free kerosene,
500,000 metric tons of high quality bases for lubricants and specialty fluids,
and 400,000 metric tons of naphtha feedstock for petrochemicals.

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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 end 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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