By 2015, experts say, Moscow's control of Europe’s gas supply could leap by as much as 10 percentage points to 40 percent. Moreover, Southern European countries like Italy and Spain, which draw much of their natural gas from North Africa, would join the list of those affected by an increased Russian presence on the continent.

“Western Europe should be very concerned," Malaquias says. "Very."

With nearly half of the continent's gas supply in its grip, Russia's leverage on the world stage would become enormous and subsequently limit European and American options on any number of issues, from the ongoing civil war in Syria, to the fuel supplies Russia provides for American troops in Afghanistan, to another Ukraine-style land-grab in Europe.

For years, most of Moscow's mining activity in Africa has involved production of minerals like platinum, chrome, manganese and diamonds. Natural gas, though, presents new opportunities.