Abiogenic means not produced by the action of living organisms, and the abiogenic theory proposes that the natural gas and petroleum deposits in the earth were formed inorganically. The theory is largely rejected by mainstream scientific communities in favor of hydrocarbons forming from the decomposition of organisms long dead. However, most experts do recognize that hydrocarbons existing on Saturn’s moon, Titan, are formed naturally through inorganic means. Astrobiology and microbial biosphere research continue the pursuit of insight regarding the contribution of hydrocarbons in the accumulations of petroleum.
