Excessive temp space usage is usually linked to poor execution plan estimates. Poor estimates can lead to suboptimal execution plans and/or inappropriately sized workareas. Inappropriately sized workareas can result in excessive temp space usage. Use real time sql monitoring or dbms_xplan.display_cursor in conjunction with either statistics_level = all or gather_plan_statstics hint to see if there is an issue with significantly inaccurate estimates. -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l