Abstract: A thermal recovery method employing an electrical pre-heating method to condition the hydrocarbon-bearing formation as a means of improving recovery when steam injection is later applied. In addition, a method of comparing the applied electrical flux and resulting temperature profile to determine the heat transfer properties of each of a plurality of reservoir regions along the length of a horizontal well is disclosed. Advantageously, the heat flux supplied to each of the regions may be varied relative to each other region to compensate for different thermal transfer properties which may exist in the formation within each of the regions. Such controlled variation in thermal energy transfer, compensating for variances in fluid mobility and thermal properties in the reservoir allows for a more even steam chamber development and therefore optimized oil recovery.