A circumferential seal assembly for use between a higher pressure side and a lower pressure side comprising: (a) a primary sealing ring disposed within a housing along a rotatable element , said primary sealing ring sealingly engages both a face sealing surface along said housing and a radial sealing surface along said rotatable element , said primary sealing ring includes at least two seal segments ; (b) a ring-shaped insert secured within and directly contacting said housing and/or being integral with said housing , a portion of said ring-shaped insert forming an inward flange extending toward but not contacting said primary sealing ring ; (c) a second sealing ring positioned about said primary sealing ring , said second sealing ring sealingly engaging a portion of a face of said inward flange , said second sealing ring extending below the end of said inward flange so as to contact an outer circumferential surface of said primary sealing ring ; and (d) a third sealing ring which contacts and sealingly engages said primary sealing ring opposite of sealing engagement with said housing , said second sealing ring being disposed between said inward flange and said third sealing ring , said third sealing ring including at least two ring segments ; wherein said ring-shaped insert , said second sealing ring , and said third sealing ring define a first cavity adjacent to said second sealing ring and said third sealing ring ; said primary sealing ring , said second sealing ring , said inward flange , and said housing define a second cavity adjacent to said primary sealing ring ; said inward flange and said second sealing ring cooperate to separate said first cavity from said second cavity . (a) a primary sealing ring disposed within a housing along a rotatable element , said primary sealing ring sealingly engages both a face sealing surface along said housing and a radial sealing surface along said rotatable element , said primary sealing ring includes at least two seal segments ; (b) a ring-shaped insert secured within and directly contacting said housing and/or being integral with said housing , a portion of said ring-shaped insert forming an inward flange extending toward but not contacting said primary sealing ring ; (c) a second sealing ring positioned about said primary sealing ring , said second sealing ring sealingly engaging a portion of a face of said inward flange , said second sealing ring extending below the end of said inward flange so as to contact an outer circumferential surface of said primary sealing ring ; and (d) a third sealing ring which contacts and sealingly engages said primary sealing ring opposite of sealing engagement with said housing , said second sealing ring being disposed between said inward flange and said third sealing ring , said third sealing ring including at least two ring segments ; said ring-shaped insert , said second sealing ring , and said third sealing ring define a first cavity adjacent to said second sealing ring and said third sealing ring ; said primary sealing ring , said second sealing ring , said inward flange , and said housing define a second cavity adjacent to said primary sealing ring ; said inward flange and said second sealing ring cooperate to separate said first cavity from said second cavity . <EOS>