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Iraqi crude shipments rose 3 percent in the first half of February even after OPECs second-biggest producer agreed to participate in global output cuts to mop up a glut that has put pressure on oil prices.

Exports increased to 3.93 million barrels a day in the first 15 days of the month, 122,000 barrels a day more than the average for all of January, according to port-agent reports and ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. Shipments from the southern Iraqi port of Basra grew by 10 percent, while sales by the Kurdish Regional Government in the north of the country were up 13 percent, the data show.

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Iraq pledged to decrease production by 210,000 barrels a day fromthe 3.91 million it pumped in October, the month that OPEC set as a baseline for its agreement.

The February mid-month tally is a sign of how much crude the country is selling, though total shipments for the full month may not end up reflecting this trend due to the high winds and rough seas that often interrupt loadings during Iraqs winter months. The country plans to export about3.64 million barrels a day in all of February, according to a loading program.

Iraqs March oil exports may decline to a seven-month low of3.01 million barrels a day, according toloading programs obtained by Bloomberg. Shipments typically slump in March because of weaker seasonal demand. This, together with maintenance at some of Iraqs biggest fields, may help the producer meet its pledge under OPECs deal to restrict supply.

The International Energy Agency reported this month that Iraq cut output by 110,000 barrels a day in January. OPEC, citing data from so-called secondary sources such as analysts and tanker trackers, said Iraq cut 166,000 barrels in the same month.

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Iraq's February Oil Sales Accelerate Despite OPEC Effort to Cut - Bloomberg