An energy superpower is a nation that supplies large amounts of energy resources (crude oil, natural gas, coal, uranium, etc.) to a significant number of other states, and therefore has the potential to influence world markets to gain a political or economic advantage. It is used to describe Russia, and has been used with other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Canada, Venezuela, Australia, and Iran. The United States is said to be a potential energy superpower because of its large shale gas reserves.