[RobRoy]

Ok, but do you realize that there is a controversy about the source of "fossil fuels?" Some are saying that it is formed by the earth itself. Others claim that the existence of organic compounds in the crude PROVE that it is from decaying life.

So, are organic compounds common without the existence of life or aren't they?

[doc30]

You read my mind about fossil fuels. Natural gas and, possibly oil, are the specific fossil fuels you are referencing and are an interesting case. For the longest time, it was believed to be from decomposed living matter, just like coal. But recent results suggest there may be a mineralogical origin to natural gas and oil. It may well be the case that some is biotic in origin and some is abiotic.

Hopwver, you need to be clear in what you mean by organic componds being "common" with or without the existence of life. On earth, organic materials have been effectively taken up by the biosphere so it is safe to say organic material in our immediate environment is biotic in nature. That does not mean all organic material in our area is biotic. Organic material in space is abiotic. The materials in comets, some asteroids and in inorganic dust is more primordial organic material. It represents organic material that would have been present in the early solar system and on the early earth before life. Life on earth has basically been recycling the same organic material, that had abiotic origins, for millions of years.