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 · IECEx
IECEx Smartphone for Bapco
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. Today Bapco Energies is Bahrain's energy group, with operating companies for refining, upstream, gas, fuel retail, aviation fuelling and gasoline blending. This page explains what to look for in an IECEx smartphone for Bapco, and where the IS-04Z1 stands against that list today.
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 topicIECEx
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.
Current position: certification in progress, nothing issued, launch targeted for Q4 2026. Operator approval runs on its own timeline. Certification status. Place facts reviewed October 2026.
At a glance · IECEx
Checklist: IECEx smartphone for Bapco
| Check | What to look for | IS-04Z1 today |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of conformity | Number checkable on the IECEx online register | In progress; not issued |
| Standards edition | The IEC 60079 edition the certificate cites | Stated on the certificate when issued |
| Schedule of conditions | Limits of use, batteries and accessories | Published with the certificate |
| 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
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
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: 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 · IECEx
What “IECEx” means for a smartphone
IECEx is the international scheme for certifying equipment used in explosive atmospheres. A certificate of conformity is issued by an accredited certification body against a specific edition of the IEC 60079 standards and carries a schedule of conditions of safe use. It is not a legal requirement in most countries on its own, but many national schemes accept it as the technical basis.
The IECEx certificate for the IS-04Z1 is in progress and has not been issued. The marking target is Ex ib IIC T4, the intrinsic safety concept for Zone 1 gas with the hardest gas group (IIC) and a 135 °C temperature class.
In Bapco. Bapco's refinery programme draws international EPCs and contractors, many of which already work with IECEx documentation. A certificate of conformity and its schedule of conditions give them and Bapco reviewers the same reference for marking and limits. The IS-04Z1 is designed for IECEx, which is still in progress, and no certificate has been issued.
The route · specification
Specifying an IECEx 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 IECEx 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.
Does the IS-04Z1 hold an IECEx certificate?
No. The IECEx certificate is in progress and has not been issued. SAMS will publish the number when it exists.
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.
Intrinsically Safe Mobile Phone for BapcoSame place, different guide
ATEX and IECEx Mobile Phone Supplier for BapcoSame place, different guide
Explosion-Proof Mobile Phone for BapcoSame place, different guide
IECEx 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
Tell us what you need to equip and where. The SAMS team answers by email with the datasheet and where each certification route stands.
Enquiry · Bapco
Launching Q4 2026
Planning for Bapco?
Tell us the zone, gas group and operator. We will send the datasheet and the certification schedule.