A method of removing fines from a hydrocarbon-containing fluid can include preparing a bed media of particulate earthen material (12). The hydrocarbon-containing fluid having fines therein can be passed through the bed media (12) at a flow rate such that a portion of the fines are retained in the bed media (12) to form a filtered hydrocarbon-containing fluid. The flow rate is sufficient to maintain a wetting film of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid across at least a majority portion of the particulate earthen material which is contacted by the hydrocarbon-containing fluid. The filtered hydrocarbon-containing fluid can be recovered from the bed media (12) via a suitable outlet (16) having substantially reduced or eliminated fines content.