Bapco: projects and investment
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.
Bapco · explosion proof
Explosion-Proof Smartphone Supplier for Bapco
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. Today Bapco Energies is Bahrain's energy group, with operating companies for refining, upstream, gas, fuel retail, aviation fuelling and gasoline blending. This page sets out how an explosion proof smartphone supply route to Bapco will work for the IS-04Z1, and what is and is not available before launch.
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
RouteSupply
WhereBapco
Short answer. An explosion proof smartphone for Bapco cannot be bought yet: the SAMS IS-04Z1 is pre-launch (certification in progress, no certificate issued), and the datasheet, certification schedule and safe-area evaluation units are available now.
Status: pre-launch. IECEx, ATEX, UKEX and NEC 500 certification is in progress and no certificate has been issued; launch is planned for Q4 2026. Operator approval runs on its own timeline. 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: Gas handling, Onshore oil production, Refinery process units | 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) and the IS-04Z1
Where it operates and the kinds of classified area a handset would meet there.
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
How suppliers reach 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: projects and investment
Bapco Refining manages what Bapco Energies calls the largest energy investment in Bahrain, so contractor and commissioning activity is heavy around the refinery.
Bapco: who works there
Bapco Energies, formerly nogaholding, was set up in 2007 and became an independent agency when the National Oil and Gas Authority was abolished in September 2021, so it now acts as the Bahrain energy group's parent.
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.
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 · supply
Sourcing the IS-04Z1 for Bapco
Supply of the IS-04Z1 to Bapco starts only after certification, through authorised distributors. Until then a buyer can request the datasheet and the written certification schedule, and arrange a safe-area evaluation unit, which puts the site on the list for the right local channel at launch.
- 01
Request the datasheet
The technical specification, marking target and conditions of use, sent by email.
- 02
Ask for the certification schedule
Which certificates are in progress, in what order, and what is still to be confirmed.
- 03
Evaluate in a safe area
Evaluation units can be used for connectivity, MDM enrolment and workflow testing outside classified areas.
- 04
Register for launch
Tell us the site, zone, gas group and quantity so the right authorised distributor can contact you.
Questions · Bapco
Frequently asked questions
Can Bapco buy the IS-04Z1 today?
No. Nothing can be bought or taken into a classified area today: certification is in progress and launch is planned for Q4 2026. What is available now is the datasheet, the written certification schedule and evaluation units for safe-area use.
What does an explosion proof smartphone for Bapco cost?
There is no list price yet. SAMS gives indicative pre-launch pricing in writing, against a stated quantity and site, and does not commit to a lead time before certification completes.
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.
How will SAMS supply Bapco?
Through authorised distributors once certificates exist. Until then SAMS can send the datasheet and certification schedule and arrange safe-area evaluation units.
Does Bahrain require radio approval for phones used at refineries?
Radio equipment in Bahrain is normally approved against EU-style conformity requirements, with approved products labelled and certificates valid for a limited time, currently three years. Confirm the current rules with the telecommunications authority or your local importer, then ask Bapco about site device policy.
Who do suppliers deal with at Bapco, the refinery company or the energy group?
Both may be involved. Bapco Refining owns and operates the refinery, while Bapco Energies provides central support such as HR, finance, risk and commercial services. The company's website carries a vendors and suppliers page, so confirm the current registration route with procurement.
Can a phone be used for fuel loading and aviation fuelling areas at Bapco sites?
Only if its marking matches the area classification, which the operator sets. Fuel loading areas often involve IIA or IIB, but the documents decide. The IS-04Z1 target is II 2 G Ex ib IIC T4, not yet certified. Confirm requirements with Bapco Energies' procurement and HSE teams.
Related guides
Keep exploring
Related guides for Bapco and for Bahrain.
ATEX and IECEx Mobile Phone Supplier for BapcoSame place, different guide
Intrinsically Safe Mobile Phone Supplier for BapcoSame place, different guide
IECEx 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
Send the site, zone and gas group and roughly how many handsets. We reply by email with the datasheet and the certification schedule.
Enquiry · Bapco
Launching Q4 2026
Planning for Bapco?
Name the site and the operator and we will send what is available before launch.