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Mining & Resources · head to head

Surpac vs IHS Markit Petra

Surpac logo

Surpac

Mining & Resources

Geology and mine planning software for all mining methods

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
IHS Markit Petra logo

IHS Markit Petra

Mining & Resources

Geological interpretation and mapping software

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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; 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: Surpac covers Geological database, IHS Markit Petra covers Well log analysis.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Surpac and IHS Markit Petra differ
AttributeSurpacIHS Markit Petra
Founded19811959

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 Surpac

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

Only in IHS Markit Petra

  • Well log analysis
  • Cross-section creation
  • Contour mapping
  • Formation tops
  • Volumetric calculations
  • Kingdom
  • ArcGIS
  • Petrel

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

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

IHS Markit Petra

  • Well log interpretationnot Surpac
  • Geological mappingnot Surpac
  • Exploration analysisnot Surpac
  • Formation evaluationnot Surpac
  • Resource assessmentnot Surpac

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

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

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

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

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 Surpac if

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

Choose IHS Markit Petra if

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

Questions people ask

Is Surpac or IHS Markit Petra better?
Neither clearly leads. Surpac 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, Surpac or IHS Markit Petra?
Surpac starts at On request and IHS Markit Petra at On request.
Does Surpac or IHS Markit Petra run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is Surpac best used for?
Surpac is most often used for geological modeling, mine planning, resource estimation, grade control. Of those, geological modeling and mine planning are not what IHS Markit Petra is typically brought in for.
What can Surpac do that IHS Markit Petra cannot?
Surpac covers Geological database, Block modeling, Mine design, Resource estimation. IHS Markit Petra covers Well log analysis, Cross-section creation, Contour mapping, Formation tops. Both handle Windows support.
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