Joy News has learnt fuel prices could be increased by up to 20 percent sometime this week.Sources say the increase which could take effect as early as tomorrow, 28th December, 2011 is in line with a cabinet decision in October to withdraw subsidies on petroleum products from next year.Currently, fuel prices at the pumps are based on an initial world market price of 92 dollars per barrel. The increase will therefore reflect the current world price of about 108 dollars.The official announcement could however be delayed to allow for consultations with the transport operators. The partial hedging of the country's crude oil purchases at 110 dollars a barrel also means that consumers would be spared further price increases even if the price goes beyond that mark.Meanwhile, the appeal by the National Petroleum Authority regarding the court ruling that scrapped the ex-differential levy is due to be heard early next month.An unsuccessful appeal would mean a further adjustment in the prices of the various petroleum products to reflect their actual costs, devoid of the cross subsidies that helped bring down the cost of LPG, kerosene and premix fuel.The NPA insists the controversial ex-differential levy is key in helping to stabilise prices.