Start-up of Skirne Field

Total S.A.
3 March 2004


                    Norway, North Sea: Start-up of Skirne Field

Paris, March 3, 2004 - Total announces the start of production from the Skirne 
gas and condensate field in Block 25/5 (PL 102), located around 140 kilometres 
northwest of Stavanger Norway.

Discovered in 1990, the Skirne field consists of two sub-sea wells, Skirne and 
Byggve, tied back to the Heimdal platform. Planned plateau production is 150 
million cubic feet per day of gas, and 6,900 barrels per day of condensate.

The Skirne project confirms Total's commitment in the North Sea to investing in 
the exploration and development of fields that permit the maximum utilization of 
existing infrastructures.

Total is the operator with a 40% interest; partners in the project include 
Marathon (20%), Petoro (30%) and Norsk Hydro (10%).

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Total is the fourth largest oil and gas company in the world with operations in 
more than 130 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 121,500 employees worldwide. 
More information can be found on the company's website: www.total.com


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