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Mining & Resources · head to head

IHS Markit Petra vs Maptek I-Site

IHS Markit Petra logo

IHS Markit Petra

Mining & Resources

Geological interpretation and mapping software

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Maptek I-Site logo

Maptek I-Site

Mining & Resources

3D laser scanning and point cloud processing

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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).; Maptek I-Site the workflow depends on buying Maptek laser scanner hardware, sold as the NS4, XR3, XR3-D and UR3 models
  • They diverge on capability: IHS Markit Petra covers Well log analysis, Maptek I-Site covers Point cloud processing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which IHS Markit Petra and Maptek I-Site actually diverge.

Attributes where IHS Markit Petra and Maptek I-Site differ
AttributeIHS Markit PetraMaptek I-Site
Founded19591981

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 Maptek I-Site

  • Point cloud processing
  • 3D model creation
  • Pit wall monitoring
  • Stockpile measurement
  • Change detection
  • Vulcan
  • CAD systems
  • GIS platforms

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

IHS Markit Petra

  • Well log interpretationnot Maptek I-Site
  • Geological mappingnot Maptek I-Site
  • Exploration analysisnot Maptek I-Site
  • Formation evaluationnot Maptek I-Site
  • Resource assessmentnot Maptek I-Site

Maptek I-Site

  • Laser scanning surveys of open pit and underground mine workingsnot IHS Markit Petra
  • Geotechnical monitoring of pit walls and slopesnot IHS Markit Petra
  • Volume and stockpile measurement from point cloud datanot 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).

Maptek I-Site

  • The workflow depends on buying Maptek laser scanner hardware, sold as the NS4, XR3, XR3-D and UR3 models
  • Scanner range is fixed per model, at 1,000 m for the NS4, 2,800 m for the XR3, 1,200 m for the XR3-D and 3,500 m for the UR3, so range upgrades mean buying different hardware
  • No price, licence type or subscription term is published; the page offers only a spec sheet request and a contact form

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

Maptek I-Site

On request
  • I-Site Studio$11000/year
    • Point cloud processing
    • 3D modeling
    • Pit wall analysis

Which should you pick?

Choose IHS Markit Petra if

  • You need well log analysis.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want cross-section creation.
IHS Markit Petra review

Choose Maptek I-Site if

  • You need point cloud processing.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want 3d model creation.
Maptek I-Site review

Questions people ask

Is IHS Markit Petra or Maptek I-Site better?
Neither clearly leads. IHS Markit Petra starts at On request and Maptek I-Site 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 Maptek I-Site?
IHS Markit Petra starts at On request and Maptek I-Site at On request.
Does IHS Markit Petra or Maptek I-Site 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 Maptek I-Site is typically brought in for.
What can IHS Markit Petra do that Maptek I-Site cannot?
IHS Markit Petra covers Well log analysis, Cross-section creation, Contour mapping, Formation tops. Maptek I-Site covers Point cloud processing, 3D model creation, Pit wall monitoring, Stockpile measurement. Both handle Windows support.
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