The Company was founded on March 28, 1924. Ever since it took its first steps in oil production in Iraq back in 1927, the Company has continually transformed and forged a reputation for its pioneering spirit, whether extending its geographical reach or innovating and pushing back the boundaries of technology. This ability to constantly adapt has also been demonstrated over the years through its successful partnerships with such companies as Petrofina, Elf Aquitaine and, more recently, Saft, Mærsk Oil and Direct Energie. In an effort to meet the challenges of a largely net zero future, the Company is pursuing a new strategy to become an integrated energy company by developing its activities in electricity, mainly renewables, which will play a key role in the energy system of tomorrow’s world. By changing its name to TotalEnergies in 2021, the Company has ensured that its identity reflects the strong ambition driving the Company, and is committed to a balanced transition strategy for the benefit of the energy transition. The pioneering spirit that has powered it since day one continues to guide it in achieving this transition.
Our History
Our History
Our History
1924 to 1945: the beginnings
1924: Creation of the Compagnie Française des Pétroles (CFP)
1927: Initial discovery at the Kirkuk field in Iraq.
1929: Listing of CFP shares on the Paris Stock Exchange.
1933: Production start-up at the Gonfreville refinery in Normandy (France).
1939: Discovery of the Saint-Marcet gas field, the first hydrocarbon reserves found in France.
1941: Creation of Société Nationale des pétroles d’Aquitaine (SNPA).
1945 to 1970: towards an integrated model
1951: SNPA discovers the Lacq gas field in France.
1954: CFP launches the Total brand. Creating our own distribution network.
1956: Discovery of the Edjeleh, Hassi R’Mel (gas) and Hassi Messaoud (oil) fields in the Algerian Sahara
1958: First o shore well on Umm Shaif (Abu Dhabi)
1961: Discovery of the first o shore fields in Gabon
1964: Inauguration of the Feyzin Refinery
1971 to 1997: a new era
1971: Production start-up at the Ekofisk field in the North Sea
1974: The Group acquires Hutchinson-Mapa
1976: Creation of Société Nationale Elf Aquitaine (SNEA)
1982: A new world record for CFP with the drilling of a deepwater well to a depth of 1,714 meters in the Mediterranean Sea.
1991: CFP becomes Total
1996: Discovery in Angola of one of the biggest o shore oil fields in the world
1998 to 2004: United for success, the consolidation
2000: Total merges with Petrofina and Elf Aquitaine
2001: Production start-up at the Girassol field on Block 17 in Angola starts production
2003: TotalFinaElf changes its name to Total
2005 to 2021: From Total to TotalEnergies: committed to the energy transition
2011: Investment in the solar energy sector with the acquisition of 60% of the US company SunPower.
2016: Total acquires Saft Groupe.
2018: Total announces the completion of the acquisition of Direct Energie. Total acquires Engie’s LNG business and becomes the world’s number two liquefied natural gas player. Total acquires exploration and production company Mærsk Oil & Gas A/S.
2020: Total announces its ambition of carbon neutrality by 2050, together with society
2021: Total becomes TotalEnergies
2021 to today: TotalEnergies committed to the energy transition
2023: TotalEnergies becomes an operator again in Iraq thanks to a multi-energy project (oil, gas, electricity)
2024: The Company celebrates its centenary
2025: The Company’s net electricity production reached 48 TWh. This represents nearly 10% of its hydrocarbon production
TotalEnergies, pioneers for a Hundred Years
A journey through time and around the world
In 2024, TotalEnergies is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Check out the milestones of this rich legacy, which continues to shape our identity, our culture and our values.