A drill stem guide and cover system is designed to guide a drill stem used in coke cutting operations. After a cutting tool and drill stem are inserted into a coke drum, covers close, forming a passageway small enough that it prevents the cutting tool on the end of the drill stem from being removed but large enough to allow movement of the drill stem. The drill stem moves within the passageway to allow the cutting tool to be raised and lowered as needed. The closed covers provide protection from the release of pressurized or explosive gases while the coke cutting operation is taking place. The covers can be automated so that an operator can control them from a safe distance, and the covers can be remotely opened for the removal of the drill stem and cutting tool when coke cutting operations are not taking place.