Key Stats
Founded: March 28, 1924 in Paris, France
Headquarters: Courbevoie, France (La Défense district)
CEO: Patrick Pouyanné (since 2015)
Employees: Approximately 105,000
Stock Exchanges: NYSE (TTE), Euronext Paris
TotalEnergies SE ranks among the seven supermajor oil companies globally and operates as France’s largest publicly traded company. The energy giant produces and markets oil, natural gas, renewable electricity, and low-carbon fuels across more than 130 countries worldwide.
TotalEnergies operates through five business segments: Exploration and Production, Integrated LNG, Integrated Power, Refining and Chemicals, and Marketing and Services. The company manages 14 refineries worldwide and generates over 22 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity.
TotalEnergies generated $195.6 billion in revenue during 2024. The company trades on both the New York Stock Exchange and Euronext Paris. TotalEnergies celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024, marking a century of energy industry leadership.
TotalEnergies SE History
TotalEnergies SE originated from the French government’s desire for energy independence after World War I. French President Raymond Poincaré rejected partnering with Royal Dutch Shell, preferring to create an entirely French oil company. Colonel Ernest Mercier founded the Compagnie française des pétroles (CFP) on March 28, 1924, with backing from ninety banks and financial institutions.
The company began oil production in Iraq in 1927 and steadily expanded its global reach. CFP created the Total brand in 1954 to build a retail distribution network. The company underwent multiple name changes and strategic mergers that transformed it into today’s multi-energy powerhouse.
1924
Compagnie française des pétroles (CFP) founded by Ernest Mercier with support from 90 banks. Established to secure French energy independence.
1927
CFP began oil production operations in Iraq, marking its first major upstream venture in the Middle East.
1954
Total brand created for retail distribution network. Name chosen for simplicity and international appeal.
1985
Company renamed Total CFP to increase brand recognition across global markets.
1991
Became Total SA and listed on the New York Stock Exchange as a public company.
1999
Acquired Belgian company Petrofina, becoming Total Fina. Major expansion into European markets.
2000
Acquired Elf Aquitaine to form TotalFinaElf. Merger created one of the world’s largest integrated oil companies.
2003
Company simplified its name back to Total SA. Unveiled new globe logo reflecting global operations.
2011
Acquired 60% stake in SunPower for $1.38 billion, signaling major push into solar energy sector.
2021
Renamed to TotalEnergies SE to reflect investments in renewable electricity and clean energy transition strategy.
TotalEnergies SE Founder
Ernest Mercier
French industrialist and military officer who founded CFP in 1924. Secured backing from 90 banks to establish French energy independence.
Raymond Poincaré
French President who championed creating a national oil company rather than partnering with foreign firms like Royal Dutch Shell.
TotalEnergies SE Competitors
TotalEnergies SE competes with major integrated oil and gas companies known as supermajors. ExxonMobil leads the industry by revenue, while Shell and BP represent primary European rivals. The company also faces competition from national oil companies and pure-play renewable energy firms.
| Competitor | Headquarters | Primary Products |
|---|---|---|
| ExxonMobil | Spring, Texas, USA | Oil, Gas, Chemicals, LNG |
| Shell | London, United Kingdom | Oil, Gas, LNG, Renewables |
| BP | London, United Kingdom | Oil, Gas, Biofuels, Solar |
| Chevron | San Ramon, California, USA | Oil, Gas, Geothermal |
| ConocoPhillips | Houston, Texas, USA | Oil, Natural Gas, LNG |
| Eni | Rome, Italy | Oil, Gas, Chemicals, Power |
| Equinor | Stavanger, Norway | Oil, Gas, Offshore Wind |
| Saudi Aramco | Dhahran, Saudi Arabia | Oil, Gas, Petrochemicals |
| Petrobras | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Oil, Gas, Biofuels |
| Repsol | Madrid, Spain | Oil, Gas, Chemicals, Power |
TotalEnergies SE Acquisitions
TotalEnergies built its global presence through strategic acquisitions spanning traditional oil and gas assets and renewable energy ventures. The company’s merger history reshaped the European energy landscape and positioned it as a multi-energy leader.
The 1999 acquisition of Belgium’s Petrofina created Total Fina and expanded retail operations across Europe. One year later, TotalEnergies acquired French competitor Elf Aquitaine, forming TotalFinaElf. This merger combined two of France’s largest oil companies and established the entity’s position among global supermajors.
TotalEnergies entered the renewable energy sector aggressively in 2011 by acquiring a 60% stake in SunPower for $1.38 billion. This positioned the company as a major solar energy player. The 2017 acquisition of Maersk Oil from A.P. Moller-Maersk for $7.45 billion strengthened North Sea operations significantly.
The company purchased French electricity provider Direct Énergie for €1.4 billion in 2018, marking its entry into consumer electricity markets. TotalEnergies also acquired Engie’s LNG business that year, becoming the world’s second-largest private LNG operator.
Recent acquisitions focused on expanding renewable capacity. TotalEnergies added 4 gigawatts through the 2022 Core Solar acquisition and purchased a 50% stake in Clearway Energy Group for $1.6 billion. The company acquired German clean energy aggregator Quadra in 2023 and Texas gas-fired power plants for $635 million to support grid reliability.
TotalEnergies SE Revenue
TotalEnergies SE reported $195.6 billion in total revenue for 2024, down from $218.9 billion in 2023. Revenue fluctuates with global oil and gas prices, as demonstrated by the 2022 peak of $263.3 billion during elevated energy prices.
TotalEnergies SE Annual Revenue (in Billions USD)
TotalEnergies SE Market Cap
TotalEnergies SE holds a market capitalization of approximately $143 billion as of January 2026. This positions the company among the top 150 most valuable corporations globally. Market cap fluctuates with energy prices and investor sentiment toward the oil and gas sector.
TotalEnergies SE Market Capitalization (in Billions USD)
FAQs
When was TotalEnergies founded?
TotalEnergies was founded on March 28, 1924, as Compagnie française des pétroles (CFP) by Ernest Mercier. The French government supported its creation to secure energy independence after World War I.
Who owns TotalEnergies?
TotalEnergies SE is a publicly traded company listed on the NYSE and Euronext Paris. Individual shareholders own over 20% of shares, including 1.8 million non-employee retail investors and employee shareholders holding approximately 8%.
Why did Total change its name to TotalEnergies?
Total changed its name to TotalEnergies in May 2021 to reflect its strategic shift toward renewable energy and electricity. The rebranding illustrates the company’s investments in solar, wind, and other clean energy sources.
How many employees does TotalEnergies have?
TotalEnergies employs approximately 105,000 people worldwide across more than 130 countries. The company operates through five business segments including exploration, LNG, power, refining, and marketing services.
What is TotalEnergies’ renewable energy capacity?
TotalEnergies operates over 22 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity as of 2024. The company targets 100 gigawatts of gross renewable capacity by 2030 through investments in solar, wind, and battery storage projects.