New Exploration Permit

Total Fina Elf.
3 July 2002


         TotalFinaElf obtains new exploration permit in Algeria

Paris, July 3, 2002 - TotalFinaElf announces it has obtained a new exploration
permit following a bid-round in Algeria. Located in the Timimoun Basin, in the
southwest of the country, the Timimoun permit (blocks 325a-329) covers an area
of 13,250 square kilometres.

TotalFinaElf will operate the permit holding an 85% interest, in partnership
with Cepsa (15%). The work commitment to be undertaken by the partners includes
2D and 3D seismic plus the drilling of three wells.

In Algeria, TotalFinaElf already operates the Tin Fouye Tabankort (TFT) natural
gas field in partnership with Sonatrach, the Algerian oil and gas company. The
Group is also a partner with Sonatrach in the development of the Hamra field.
Both fields are located in the southeast of the country.

In addition, the Group was awarded a participation in the Rhourde Es Sid permit
(blocks 432, 444 South, 403 North) in the Berkine Basin at the end of last year.

This latest permit award confirms the interest of TotalFinaElf in the Algerian
upstream oil and gas sector and reflects the Group's strategy of strengthening 
its position in North Africa.



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