A method for recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir is described. Adjacent injector producer well pairs are operated under conditions of steam assisted gravity drainage with a lateral drainage well between them. The lateral drainage well is operated under conditions of intermittent steam injection and alternating oil, water and gas production. NCG is co-injected with steam at selected intervals and in selected quantities in order to control the steam saturation of the SAGD steam chamber and the rise of the steam chamber, and to encourage lateral fluid communication between the adjacent well pairs and the LD well to control the rise of the steam chamber.