ELF PETROLEUM QATAR operator (55%), a subsidiary of Elf Aquitaine, AGIP QATAR BV (45%), a subsidiary of ENI and QGPC, the Qatari national oil company, announce the approval of the full field development plan of the PSC Alkhalij field on Block 6, offshore Qatar in water depths of 59 meters.

The development of the eastern area of Alkhalij will increase the daily production capacity of the field from 30,000 barrels of oil to up to 60,000 barrels of oil, as a result of an investment in the range of 200 millions US dollars.

The Alkhalij field has been in production since March 1997 and currently produces 22,000 barrels of oil per day, respecting the OPEC quota policy.

Two new production platforms, one injection platform, additional process facilities and pipelines, will be installed. Nine new producing wells and four injection wells will be drilled.

First oil from the new facilities is planned for the third quarter 2001.

Along with the development of the eastern area, a new appraisal well will be drilled in the northern part of the field in order to assess the productivity of another reservoir in the field. In case of a successful appraisal, development will be expanded to such an area. The design parameters of the new facilities will take into account this possible further development.

Following the recent agreement on Dolphin project, this decision is in line with the group strategy of increasing operations in the Middle East, where it already holds important positions. In Qatar, the group is a major partner in the Qatargas LNG project and is also active in the petrochemicals Industry.

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Elf Petroleum Qatar is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elf Aquitaine. Totalfina (NYSE: TOT) holds around 95% of the share capital of Elf Aquitaine. The European Commission approved the combination between the two companies on February 9, 2000.