French energy giant, TotalEnergies, may pay shareholders an additional dividend in February 2027 if its cash flow reaches $43 billion by the end of 2026, its Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Pouyanné, has said.

Pouyanné disclosed this during a meeting with analysts on Thursday, following the company’s announcement of better-than-expected third-quarter profits.

He said the company’s cash flow could exceed its earlier forecast of $42 billion, potentially reaching $43 billion in 2026.

According to him, an additional dividend would help TotalEnergies meet its commitment to return 40 per cent of its cash flow to shareholders.

The proposed payment would be made alongside the final dividend scheduled for February 2027. It would be in addition to the $8 billion earmarked for share buybacks and $8.6 billion committed to regular dividend payments.

Pouyanné said most shareholders preferred the company’s existing approach to shareholder returns rather than a special dividend. However, he noted that the additional payment would enable the company to meet its distribution commitment.

Meanwhile, TotalEnergies’ rising profits have drawn criticism from some French lawmakers, sparking debate over whether the company should pay higher taxes on its earnings.

In response, Pouyanné said French consumers had benefited from a voluntary fuel price cap introduced at the company’s service stations following the outbreak of the Iran war.

He also defended the government’s decision not to impose a windfall tax on energy companies, saying it recognised the benefits of the company’s pricing policy.