Re Holding in Cepsa

Total S.A.
16 October 2006


2, place de la Coupole
La Defense 6
92 400 Courbevoie France
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Jerome SCHMITT 
Laurent WOLFFSHEIM 
Philippe HERGAUX

Robert HAMMOND (U.S.)
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

TOTAL S.A.
Capital 6 062 233 950 euros
542 051 180 R.C.S. Nanterre

www.total.com

                   Total reaches 48.83% of Cepsa

Paris, October 16, 2006 - After approval on October 13, 2006 by the European
Commission, Banco Santander Central Hispano (Santander) sold 4.35% of Cepsa's
share capital to Total at a price of €4.54 per share, for a total transaction 
amount near to €53 million.

The transaction follows the agreement signed on August 2, 2006 by Total and
Santander to implement the provisions of the partial award rendered on March 24,
2006 by the Netherlands Arbitration Institute, which adjudicated their dispute 
concerning Cepsa.

As a result Total now holds 48.83% of Cepsa.

Total and Santander will ask the arbitral tribunal to terminate the arbitration 
proceedings.

                               **************

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


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