Software · head to head
Imago vs IHS Markit Petra
IHS Markit Petra
Software
Geological interpretation and mapping software
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Imago now a Seequent product rather than an independent one, so it sits inside that ecosystem and its own domain no longer resolves; 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).
- They diverge on capability: Imago covers Geological database, IHS Markit Petra covers Well log analysis.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Imago and IHS Markit Petra actually diverge.
| Attribute | Imago | IHS Markit Petra |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1998 | 1959 |
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 Imago
- Geological database
- Drill hole management
- Sample tracking
- Data validation
- Reporting tools
- Leapfrog
- Vulcan
- GIS systems
Only in IHS Markit Petra
- Well log analysis
- Cross-section creation
- Contour mapping
- Formation tops
- Volumetric calculations
- Kingdom
- ArcGIS
- Petrel
Both cover
- Excel
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
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
IHS Markit Petra
- Well log interpretationnot Imago
- Geological mappingnot Imago
- Exploration analysisnot Imago
- Formation evaluationnot Imago
- Resource assessmentnot Imago
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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).
Pricing, plan by plan
Imago
On request- Imago Professional$6500/year
- Database management
- Drill hole tracking
- Sample management
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
Which should you pick?
Choose Imago if
- You need geological database.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want drill hole management.
Choose IHS Markit Petra if
- You need well log analysis.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want cross-section creation.
Questions people ask
- Is Imago or IHS Markit Petra better?
- Neither clearly leads. Imago starts at On request and IHS Markit Petra at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Imago or IHS Markit Petra?
- Imago starts at On request and IHS Markit Petra at On request.
- Does Imago or IHS Markit Petra run on more platforms?
- Both run on Windows, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- What is Imago best used for?
- Imago is most often used for digitising and managing drill core photography, linking core imagery to geological logging data, streaming high-resolution core imagery into leapfrog models, sharing geoscientific imagery across a distributed exploration team. Of those, digitising and managing drill core photography and linking core imagery to geological logging data are not what IHS Markit Petra is typically brought in for.
- What can Imago do that IHS Markit Petra cannot?
- Imago covers Geological database, Drill hole management, Sample tracking, Data validation. IHS Markit Petra covers Well log analysis, Cross-section creation, Contour mapping, Formation tops. Both handle Excel, Windows support.