South Africa's top court on Friday ruled in favour of coastal communities and environmental groups, overturning oil and gas exploration rights that were granted to energy giant Shell more than a decade ago.

The landmark ruling ended a years-long battle over Shell's plans to conduct offshore seismic surveys along South Africa's Wild Coast.

The Constitutional Court overturned the appeals court ruling that gave the British oil heavyweight another chance to renew its permit.

It agreed with a lower court's 2022 judgement that the exploration authorisation granted by South Africa's government in 2014 was unlawful.

The apex court said in a statement that "any other remedy would allow financial investment to outweigh grave constitutional violations".

It added that such an outcome would signal that "the rights of affected parties are subordinate to commercial interests".

Shell had planned to map more than 6,000 square kilometres (2,300 square miles) off the Indian Ocean coast, which boasts pristine beaches and rich waters hosting exquisite marine life.

The seismic survey is conducted by bouncing sonic waves off the sea floor and using the reflection to build up a 3D image.