Memorandum of Understanding

Total S.A.
8 August 2003

              Total and ADNOC sign a memorandum of understanding for 
               the construction of a melamine plant in Abu Dhabi

Paris, August 8, 2003 - Total and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)
signed a memorandum of understanding for the development and construction of a
melamine plant in Abu Dhabi by the jointly owned Ruwais Fertilizer Industries
(Fertil).

Created in 1980, Fertil is a joint venture between ADNOC (66.66%) and Total
(33.33%) set-up to run a nitrogen fertilizer plant and market ammonia and urea
primarily in Asia.

The melamine plant is planned to enter into production by the end of 2006 with
an annual capacity of 50,000 tons. Fertil will supply urea, the main feedstock.
The global investment will be around 100 million euros.

The melamine production is expected to target supplying Atofina in Europe.
Melamine is used primarily to manufacture resins for the wood based panel and
flooring industries. Furniture, housing and construction sectors are the main
users of these resins.

This project consolidates Total's presence in the United Arab Emirates and
provides Atofina, the Group's chemical branch, a regular and long term supply of
melamine in the Middle East.


                                    ******

Total is the fourth largest oil and gas company in the world with operations in
more than 120 countries. Total's activities cover the whole energy chain of the
petroleum industry: exploration, oil and gas production, refining and marketing,
trading and power generation. The Group is also a major player in chemicals
through its chemicals branch, Atofina. Total has 121,000 employees worldwide.
More information can be found on the company's website: www.total.com



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange