Updated

Russian energy giant Gazprom is spending billions to expand its already massive footprint in Europe. Born out of the Soviet gas ministry in the rush of Russian privatizations, Gazprom is effectively the country's gas industry, accounting for about 80 percent of the country's natural gas output.

Here are some other facts about Gazprom:

— Founded in 1989

— Market capitalization of $115.9 billion as of Jan. 11, 2013 at the MICEX stock exchange in Moscow

— $158.1 billion in revenue in 2011

— $44.6 billion in net profit in 2011

— 513 billion cu. meters of gas produced in 2011

— Gazprom owns and operates some 167,000 kilometers (103,773 miles) of pipelines in Russia and 10,000 kilometers in Belarus.

— Exports to EU countries: 124 billion cu meters in 2011

— Total gas exports: 238 billion cu meters in 2011