A coupler and a method for installing an instrumentation line, such as
fiber optic cable, into a wellbore. The coupler places upper and lower
instrumentation lines in communication with one another downhole to form
a single line. The coupler comprises a landing tool and a stinger that
lands on the landing tool, thereby placing the upper and the lower
instrumentation lines in communication. The landing tool is run into the
wellbore at the lower end of a tubular, such as production tubing. The
upper instrumentation line affixes to the tubing and landing tool and
extends to the surface. The lower instrumentation line affixes along the
stinger. In this manner, the lower instrumentation line may be installed
after expansion of a well screen or liner and may be later removed from
the wellbore prior to well workover procedures without pulling the
production string.