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 · IECEx
IECEx Smartphone Supplier for Bapco
The Bahrain Petroleum Company was founded in 1929, discovered oil in 1932 and built Bahrain's first refinery in 1936. Today Bapco Energies is Bahrain's energy group, with operating companies for refining, upstream, gas, fuel retail, aviation fuelling and gasoline blending. Buyers searching for an IECEx smartphone supplier for Bapco can take the datasheet and the certification schedule for the IS-04Z1 now; supply follows certification.
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
RouteSupply
WhereBapco
Short answer. An IECEx 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.
Where things stand: the IS-04Z1 has not launched, and none of its four certification routes has produced a certificate yet. 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: 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: 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.
Bapco: who works there
Bapco Refining owns and operates the 267,000 barrel a day refinery, while Bapco Energies provides central HR, finance, audit, risk, IT and commercial support, so supplier questions may involve both entities.
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.
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 · 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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
Intrinsically Safe Mobile Phone Supplier for BapcoSame place, different guide
Explosion-Proof Mobile Phone for BapcoSame place, different guide
ATEX and IECEx Mobile Phone Supplier 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
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?
Tell us the zone, gas group and operator. We will send the datasheet and the certification schedule.