A compressor comprising: a housing; a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to the housing; a compressor bundle arranged around the shaft and disposed at least partially within the housing; and an annular seal, comprising: an inner radial surface defining an inner diameter of the annular seal; an outer radial surface opposing the inner radial surface and defining an outer diameter of the annular seal, the outer radial surface forming an outer sealing surface, wherein the annular seal is mounted about a portion of the compressor bundle, such that the annular seal is disposed between the housing and the compressor bundle, characterized in that the outer radial surface further defines at least one annular groove and a plurality of slots spaced circumferentially about the outer radial surface, each slot having an end terminating in the at least one annular groove; the annular seal further comprising a first axial sidewall forming a sidewall sealing surface and a recessed portion; and a second axial sidewall opposing the first axial sidewall, wherein the annular seal forms a generally rectangular cross-section; wherein the at least one annular groove and the plurality of slots are configured to maintain a low pressure environment across at least a portion of the outer radial surface; and wherein the second axial sidewall, the recessed portion, and the inner radial surface are configured to maintain a high pressure environment there across during the operation of the compressor. a housing; a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to the housing; a compressor bundle arranged around the shaft and disposed at least partially within the housing; and an annular seal, comprising: an inner radial surface defining an inner diameter of the annular seal; an outer radial surface opposing the inner radial surface and defining an outer diameter of the annular seal, the outer radial surface forming an outer sealing surface, wherein the annular seal is mounted about a portion of the compressor bundle, such that the annular seal is disposed between the housing and the compressor bundle, characterized in that the outer radial surface further defines at least one annular groove and a plurality of slots spaced circumferentially about the outer radial surface, each slot having an end terminating in the at least one annular groove; the annular seal further comprising a first axial sidewall forming a sidewall sealing surface and a recessed portion; and a second axial sidewall opposing the first axial sidewall, an inner radial surface defining an inner diameter of the annular seal; an outer radial surface opposing the inner radial surface and defining an outer diameter of the annular seal, the outer radial surface forming an outer sealing surface, wherein the annular seal is mounted about a portion of the compressor bundle, such that the annular seal is disposed between the housing and the compressor bundle, characterized in that the outer radial surface further defines at least one annular groove and a plurality of slots spaced circumferentially about the outer radial surface, each slot having an end terminating in the at least one annular groove; the annular seal further comprising a first axial sidewall forming a sidewall sealing surface and a recessed portion; and a second axial sidewall opposing the first axial sidewall, wherein the annular seal forms a generally rectangular cross-section; wherein the at least one annular groove and the plurality of slots are configured to maintain a low pressure environment across at least a portion of the outer radial surface; and wherein the second axial sidewall, the recessed portion, and the inner radial surface are configured to maintain a high pressure environment there across during the operation of the compressor.