Patent ID: 7303022

Claim:
A method of wiring casing while drilling with casing, comprising: lowering a first casing string with an earth removal member operatively connected to its lower end into an earth formation; placing wire on the first casing string while lowering the first casing string, thereby creating a wired casing string, wherein the wired casing string includes a conductive path that is at least partially sub-flushed across a connection between a casing section and a coupling; connecting a second casing string to the first casing string, wherein connecting the second casing string to the first casing string comprises substantially aligning a groove in the second casing string with a groove in the first casing string such that an enlarged portion of the groove in the first casing string is substantially aligned with an enlarged portion of the groove in the second casing string; lowering the first casing string into the earth formation; and placing the wire on the second casing string while lowering the first casing string.