Bapco: projects and investment
Reports say the expansion includes a 65,000 barrel a day LC-Fining residue hydrocracking unit, new 225,000 barrel a day crude distillation units and sulphur recovery systems, with commissioning targeted for late 2025.
Bapco · explosion proof
Explosion-Proof Smartphone for Bapco
The Bahrain Petroleum Company was founded in 1929, discovered oil in 1932 and built Bahrain's first refinery in 1936. Bahrain's November 2020 gas strategy calls for a national gas grid and pipelines to neighbouring Gulf states, and Bapco Energies has also commissioned a study on a hydrogen economy. If you are specifying an explosion proof smartphone for Bapco, this page covers the markings, the approvals and the current certification status of the IS-04Z1.
Pre-launch · certification in progress · Launching Q4 2026
Marking targetEx ib IIC T4Intrinsic safety, Zone 1 / 21 design target · certification in progress
AvailabilityQ4 2026via authorised distributors
Search topicexplosion proof
DeviceSmartphone
RouteSpecification
WhereBapco
Short answer. The SAMS IS-04Z1 is the intrinsically safe smartphone covered here for Bapco: pre-launch, designed for Zone 1 and Zone 21 (marking target Ex ib IIC T4), with certification in progress and no certificate issued.
For the record, no certificate exists for the IS-04Z1 today. The programme is under way ahead of a Q4 2026 launch. An operator's own vendor approval is a separate step. Certification status. Place facts reviewed October 2026.
At a glance · explosion proof
Checklist: explosion proof smartphone for Bapco
| Check | What to look for | IS-04Z1 today |
|---|---|---|
| Protection concept | Flameproof (Ex d) or intrinsic safety (Ex i) | Intrinsic safety, level ib |
| Zone suitability | Zone 1 gas and Zone 21 dust | Design target for Zone 1 and 21 |
| Certificate | Number, issuing body and schedule of conditions | In progress; not issued |
| Where it applies | Bapco: Refinery process units, Fuel storage tank farms and wharf, Gas handling | Classified by the site operator |
Product · Bahrain
The product behind this search: the SAMS IS-04Z1.
SAMS IS-04Z1
An intrinsically safe Android smartphone designed for Zone 1 and Zone 21 hazardous areas in Bahrain. It is pre-launch: IECEx, ATEX and NEC 500 certification is in progress ahead of the Q4 2026 launch.
- IP68 sealed
- 4,000 mAh battery
- 50 MP camera
- Android 16
- Zone 1 / Zone 21 design target
The organisation · Bapco
Bapco Energies (Bapco Refining is the successor of the Bahrain Petroleum Company): operations and where an Ex phone fits
A short profile of its operations and the kinds of classified area that matter for portable equipment.
Sites and areas
- Sitra refinery complex
- Bahrain Field (Awali)
- Aviation fuelling (Bapco Air Fueling)
Classified areas
- Refinery process units
- Fuel storage tank farms and wharf
- Gas handling
- Onshore oil production
Supplier approval · Bapco
Becoming an approved supplier to Bapco
Bapco Energies' website carries a Vendors & Suppliers page under its Our Responsibility section; confirm current registration steps with its procurement team. The Ex certificate and an organisation's own vendor or engineering approval are two separate timelines; SAMS is working towards both and holds neither today.
Field notes · Bapco
More about Bapco that matters for portable equipment
Bapco: infrastructure
Bahrain's LNG import terminal at Al Hidd, opened in May 2019, has a floating storage unit, jetty, regasification platform, onshore gas storage and nitrogen plant, and a capacity of about 800 million cubic feet a day.
Bapco: projects and investment
The modernisation programme will replace some of the oldest and least efficient refinery units and also needs changes at the Sitra tank farm, Sitra wharf and the transfer pipelines.
Bapco: rules and approvals
Bahrain's radio equipment conformity requirements follow the EU radio equipment directive, certificates are valid for a limited period, currently three years, and approved products must be labelled.
The term · explosion proof
What “explosion proof” means for a smartphone
“Explosion proof” is the phrase most buyers use for equipment that may be taken into a classified hazardous area. Strictly, it covers several protection concepts: a flameproof enclosure (Ex d) contains an internal explosion, while intrinsic safety (Ex i) limits electrical energy so that an ignition cannot start. Phones are normally intrinsically safe, because a flameproof handset would be too heavy to carry all shift.
The IS-04Z1 uses intrinsic safety, with a marking target of Ex ib IIC T4, and is designed for Zone 1 and Zone 21. It is pre-launch, certification is in progress and no certificate has been issued.
In Bapco. At Sitra and the Bahrain Field, 'explosion-proof' is a casual phrase that covers different concepts. Flameproof Ex d protects fixed motors and enclosures in refinery process units, while intrinsic safety limits what a portable device can release. A phone is carried by hand, so the IS-04Z1 is designed around intrinsic safety.
The route · specification
Specifying an explosion proof smartphone for Bapco
A short checklist for anyone writing or reviewing the specification, with the IS-04Z1 status against each point.
Check on the paper
- Marking
- Equipment group, category, protection concept, gas group and temperature class, matched to the area drawing.
- Certificate and schedule
- A certificate number, issuing body and the schedule of conditions, not a brochure claim.
- Standards edition
- The IEC 60079 or national standard edition the certificate was issued against.
Check for the IS-04Z1
- Marking target
- II 2 G Ex ib IIC T4: a target, not yet a certificate.
- Certificate status
- IECEx, ATEX, UKEX and NEC 500 in progress; none issued.
- Operator approval
- Separate from the certificate and handled with the site operator.
Questions · Bapco
Frequently asked questions
Can Bapco buy the IS-04Z1 today?
Not yet. The IS-04Z1 is pre-launch and its certification is still in progress ahead of a Q4 2026 launch. No unit goes into a classified area before the certificate covering it exists. The datasheet, the certification schedule and safe-area evaluation units are available now.
What does an explosion proof smartphone for Bapco cost?
SAMS has not published a price. Any figure you are offered for an uncertified Ex phone should be treated with caution; written indicative pricing is available for a defined quantity and site.
Is the IS-04Z1 explosion proof or intrinsically safe?
It is intrinsically safe (marking target Ex ib IIC T4), which is the usual way to make a phone for hazardous areas. It is not a flameproof (Ex d) design, and certification is still in progress.
How does Bapco approve suppliers?
Bapco Energies' website carries a Vendors & Suppliers page under its Our Responsibility section; confirm current registration steps with its procurement team.
Is intrinsically safe the same as explosion proof?
Not exactly. Explosion proof is a broad everyday term; intrinsic safety is one protection concept, which limits energy so ignition cannot occur. Flameproof (Ex d) is a different concept that contains an explosion. The IS-04Z1 is intrinsically safe by design.
Does Bapco's expansion affect what handheld equipment is needed?
New process units, including residue hydrocracking, crude distillation and sulphur recovery, usually mean new classified areas with hydrogen, hydrocarbon and sulphur compounds. Gas groups and temperature classes can differ between units, so ask the project team for the area classification documents.
What is the Bapco Modernisation Programme?
A major expansion and upgrade of the Sitra refinery that raises capacity from 267,000 to 380,000 barrels a day, replaces older units and changes the tank farm, wharf and transfer pipelines. During startup, expect many contractors, new units and changing area classification drawings.
How does Bahrain's heat affect a handset on rounds?
Heat and humidity reduce battery comfort and screen visibility outdoors, and direct sun can raise surface temperature. Check the device's stated operating range and the area temperature class. IP68 helps with dust and moisture but is not explosion protection. Keep spare charging in a safe area.
Related guides
Keep exploring
Related guides for Bapco and for Bahrain.
ATEX and IECEx Mobile Phone Supplier for BapcoSame place, different guide
IECEx Mobile Phone for BapcoSame place, different guide
Intrinsically Safe Mobile Phone for BapcoSame place, different guide
Explosion-Proof Mobile Phone Supplier for BapcoSame place, different guide
Bahrain market guideCertification route and regulators
All guides for BahrainEvery route we cover
Certification statusWhat is in progress
Enquiry · Bapco
Ask about the IS-04Z1 for Bapco, Bahrain
Share the site details and quantity. You will get the datasheet and the certification schedule back by email; pricing is indicative only until launch.
Enquiry · Bapco
Launching Q4 2026
Planning for Bapco?
Send the zone and gas group of your site and we will reply with the datasheet and schedule.