Systems and techniques, including computer programs, for monitoring and controlling thermal recovery involve generating input parameters for use in real time monitoring and controlling of a thermal recovery operation for a reservoir. The input parameters to a thermal generator are generated using a reservoir simulator and an economic model, and the input parameters have a corresponding predicted output of the thermal recovery operation. Data indicative of actual output from the reservoir is received, and the reservoir simulator is automatically updated based on a comparison of the data indicative of the actual output with the predicted output.