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Software · head to head

IHS Markit Petra vs Surpac

IHS Markit Petra logo

IHS Markit Petra

Software

Geological interpretation and mapping software

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Surpac logo

Surpac

Software

Geology and mine planning software for all mining methods

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).; Surpac 3ds.com's Surpac page describes nine product modules in detail but every pricing action is a 'Speak with an expert' or 'Contact us' CTA, with no edition names or figures published
  • They diverge on capability: IHS Markit Petra covers Well log analysis, Surpac covers Geological database.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which IHS Markit Petra and Surpac actually diverge.

Attributes where IHS Markit Petra and Surpac differ
AttributeIHS Markit PetraSurpac
Founded19591981

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Windows), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Surpac

  • Geological database
  • Block modeling
  • Mine design
  • Resource estimation
  • Workflow automation
  • MineSched
  • PCBC
  • Whittle

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 Surpac
  • Geological mappingnot Surpac
  • Exploration analysisnot Surpac
  • Formation evaluationnot Surpac
  • Resource assessmentnot Surpac

Surpac

  • Geological modelingnot IHS Markit Petra
  • Mine planningnot IHS Markit Petra
  • Resource estimationnot IHS Markit Petra
  • Grade controlnot IHS Markit Petra
  • Production trackingnot 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).

Surpac

  • 3ds.com's Surpac page describes nine product modules in detail but every pricing action is a 'Speak with an expert' or 'Contact us' CTA, with no edition names or figures published

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

Surpac

On request
  • Surpac Core$6000/year
    • 3D visualization
    • Geological database
    • Surface modeling
  • Surpac Advanced$12000/year
    • Block modeling
    • Resource estimation
    • Mine design
  • Surpac Complete$20000/year
    • All modules
    • Underground planning
    • Scheduling integration

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 Surpac if

  • You need geological database.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want block modeling.
Surpac review

Questions people ask

Is IHS Markit Petra or Surpac better?
Neither clearly leads. IHS Markit Petra starts at On request and Surpac 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 Surpac?
IHS Markit Petra starts at On request and Surpac at On request.
Does IHS Markit Petra or Surpac 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 Surpac is typically brought in for.
What can IHS Markit Petra do that Surpac cannot?
IHS Markit Petra covers Well log analysis, Cross-section creation, Contour mapping, Formation tops. Surpac covers Geological database, Block modeling, Mine design, Resource estimation. Both handle Windows support.
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