Mining & Resources · head to head
IHS Markit Petra vs Imago
IHS Markit Petra
Mining & Resources
Geological interpretation and mapping software
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Imago
Mining & Resources
Geological database and exploration management
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: IHS Markit Petra iHS Markit Petra's product page (ihsmarkit.com/products/petra.html) now redirects live to spglobal.com, confirming IHS Markit's merger into S&P Global means the Petra product line is sold under S&P Global rather than as an independent IHS Markit product (redirect observed 19 August 2026).; Imago now a Seequent product rather than an independent one, so it sits inside that ecosystem and its own domain no longer resolves
- They diverge on capability: IHS Markit Petra covers Well log analysis, Imago covers Geological database.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which IHS Markit Petra and Imago actually diverge.
| Attribute | IHS Markit Petra | Imago |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1959 | 1998 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Windows), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Mining & Resources).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in IHS Markit Petra
- Well log analysis
- Cross-section creation
- Contour mapping
- Formation tops
- Volumetric calculations
- Kingdom
- ArcGIS
- Petrel
Only in Imago
- Geological database
- Drill hole management
- Sample tracking
- Data validation
- Reporting tools
- Leapfrog
- Vulcan
- GIS systems
Both cover
- Excel
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
IHS Markit Petra
- Well log interpretationnot Imago
- Geological mappingnot Imago
- Exploration analysisnot Imago
- Formation evaluationnot Imago
- Resource assessmentnot Imago
Imago
- Digitising and managing drill core photographynot IHS Markit Petra
- Linking core imagery to geological logging datanot IHS Markit Petra
- Streaming high-resolution core imagery into Leapfrog modelsnot IHS Markit Petra
- Sharing geoscientific imagery across a distributed exploration teamnot IHS Markit Petra
- Capturing core images in the field with the mobile appnot IHS Markit Petra
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
IHS Markit Petra
- IHS Markit Petra's product page (ihsmarkit.com/products/petra.html) now redirects live to spglobal.com, confirming IHS Markit's merger into S&P Global means the Petra product line is sold under S&P Global rather than as an independent IHS Markit product (redirect observed 19 August 2026).
Imago
- Now a Seequent product rather than an independent one, so it sits inside that ecosystem and its own domain no longer resolves
- Capturing images at quality expects the Capture X software driving a camera rig, so it is not purely a software purchase
Pricing, plan by plan
IHS Markit Petra
On request- Petra Standard$8000/year
- Well log analysis
- Cross-sections
- Contour mapping
- Petra Professional$15000/year
- 3D visualization
- Advanced mapping
- Volumetric analysis
Imago
On request- Imago Professional$6500/year
- Database management
- Drill hole tracking
- Sample management
Which should you pick?
Choose IHS Markit Petra if
- You need well log analysis.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want cross-section creation.
Choose Imago if
- You need geological database.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want drill hole management.
Questions people ask
- Is IHS Markit Petra or Imago better?
- Neither clearly leads. IHS Markit Petra starts at On request and Imago at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, IHS Markit Petra or Imago?
- IHS Markit Petra starts at On request and Imago at On request.
- Does IHS Markit Petra or Imago run on more platforms?
- Both run on Windows, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- What is IHS Markit Petra best used for?
- IHS Markit Petra is most often used for well log interpretation, geological mapping, exploration analysis, formation evaluation. Of those, well log interpretation and geological mapping are not what Imago is typically brought in for.
- What can IHS Markit Petra do that Imago cannot?
- IHS Markit Petra covers Well log analysis, Cross-section creation, Contour mapping, Formation tops. Imago covers Geological database, Drill hole management, Sample tracking, Data validation. Both handle Excel, Windows support.