The initial volume of gas exported, around 38 billion cubic meters a year, would be small compared to the amount currently exported to Europe. Even if capacity were increased to more than 60 billion cubic meters later, as the Russians hope, the volume of gas will still be around a third of what is currently exported to Europe. Gazprom's sales to Europe rose by 15% last year to 174.3 billion cubic meters—the highest since 2008.