Total engages in all aspects of the petroleum industry, including upstream operations (oil and gas exploration, development and production, LNG) and downstream operations (refining, marketing and the trading and shipping of crude oil and petroleum products). 
Total also produces base chemicals (petrochemicals and fertilizers) and specialty chemicals for the industrial and consumer markets (rubber processing, adhesives, resins and electroplating). In addition, Total has interests in the coal mining and power generation sectors.
The company has around 96,400 employees and operations in more than 130 countries. In 2008, it had sale of around Euro180bn.
History
AtoFina, the once chemical branch of the oil group, TotalFinaElf, was created in April 2000 from the merger of the chemical, petrochemical and oleochemical activities of TotalFina and Elf Aquitaine.
In 2004 after the groups rebranding, it was known as the “new” Total. This was created through two mergers, the first when Total joined Petrofina to form Totalfina and the second when Totalfina combined with Elf Aquitaine to create TotalFinaElf.
In February 2004, Total announced it was to separate its chlorochemicals, intermediates and performance products businesses into an independent company named Arkema.
Total Chemicals
Its chemicals business comprises of various activities, including base chemicals (petrochemicals, and fertilizers) and specialties for industry and the consumer market.
Total states that it is one of the world’s largest integrated producers and a European or global leader in each of its markets: petrochemicals and fertilizers and specialties.
Total
Strategy & Financial Highlights
Total’s company strategy is to continue to grow its production profitably; step up development of LNG and heavy oil, in its fastest-growing segments; adjust to the new world energy environment, where oil and gas prices are high and new competitors are emerging, and to changing demand; invest and innovate to meet constantly growing oil and gas demand; enhance the energy efficiency of its processes; help to diversify energy sources; improve its customers’ energy use; combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and devising new solutions, such as CO2 capture and sequestration; reduce the impact of its production and transportation operations on the air, water and soil; reduce the noise, visual and olfactory disamenities caused by its operations; and maintain biodiversity. (Edited from annual report and company website). ICIS also provides you with key financial data listed in table form.
More about Total Strategy & Financial Highlights
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