Tender Offer

Total Fina Elf.
1 August 2000


        TOTAL FINA ELF WINS POWER, DESALINATION PROJECT IN ABU DHABI

Paris, August 1, 2000 - TotalFinaElf has been named winner of an international
tender offer for the acquisition and extension of the Taweelah A1 power station
and desalination plant following the decision by the Board of Directors of the
Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA).

The $1.5 billion project will increase the electrical generation capacity from
225 to 1,350 megawatts and the desalination water capacity from 130,000 to
around 380,000 cubic meters a day, making the project one of the largest
cogeneration power plants in the world.

A new company will be formed, composed of ADWEA holding a 60% interest and a
consortium of TotalFinaElf and Tractebel each with a 20% interest.

The agreement marks a new step in the development of TotafFinaElf's gas and
electricity activities. Thus, through its participation in the Taweelah project,
the Group enters into a new area in the Middle East gas chain.

TotalFinaElf has had a strong presence in Abu Dhabi since the country's first
oil discoveries in the 1950s, and is the leading foreign partner in the Emirate
through the Group's interests in the oil production, liquefied gas and
fertilizers sectors.


Media Contacts:
Thomas Saunders           33.1.47.44.42.30

www.totalfinaelf.com