Costa Rica is mulling over whether to add on or shave off a few cents at the pump.

The Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP), tasked with approving price adjustments, is still processing bids issued last month to increase the price of gas by ¢7 (about 1 U.S. cent) and diesel by 34 (6 cents) a liter, according to ARESEP spokeswoman Carolina Mora.

As fuel prices appear to be cooling abroad, ARESEP is also considering an idea to drop the price of gas by ¢14 (2.5 cents) and diesel by 76 colones (14 cents), said Mora, adding that the decision could be made by mid-October.

The Costa Rican National Refinery (RECOPE), however, is asking for a drop of just ¢2 per liter for super and ¢3 for regular, citing Hurricanes Ike and Gustav as affecting oil supplies.

Super currently costs ¢736 ($1.32) a liter, regular is ¢721 ($1.29) and diesel ¢726 ($1.30). Prices of fuels have increased six times already this year.

ARESEP launched a public survey Sept. 18 to get Costa Rica's input. Residents can write in by e-mail at usuario@aresep.go.cr, by fax at 2290-2010 or by dropping off a written letter at the services authority's offices in the western San José neighborhood Sabana Sur.

“Before the decision is approved it has to incorporate a consultation of the public, which takes about two weeks, then there's an analysis by the official experts, and finally, it would take another week for it to be published … so that's about a four-week process to apply new prices,” Mora explained.