WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Iraqi crude oil shipments to the United States in February reached the second highest monthly level since American-led forces invaded the country in the spring of 2003, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said on Tuesday.

U.S. imports of Iraqi oil averaged 780,000 barrels per day in February, up 44 percent, or 237,000 bpd, from January, based on preliminary data given to the agency by importing companies.

That was the most imports of Iraqi oil since 800,000 bpd in August 2004, which was the biggest volume month since the war with Iraq began in March 2003.

Iraq was the sixth biggest oil supplier to the United States in 2007, shipping an average 433,000 bpd, the EIA said.

The five biggest oil suppliers to the U.S. market last year, in order, were Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Venezuela.