Abstract: A single-stage, ferrofluid magnetic seal apparatus and method which comprises: an annular, permanent-magnet ring element adapted to surround a shaft to be sealed, which shaft extends between first low-pressure and second high-pressure; first and second pole pieces in a magnetic-flux relationship with the permanent magnet, and having one and the other ends, the other end extending into a close, noncontacting relationship with the surface of the shaft, to define a radial gap therebetween; a plurality of stages formed in the radial gap under the other end of the second pole piece, which pole piece is placed toward the high-pressure side the environment, and the radial gap under the first pole piece, placed toward the low-pressure side of the environment, being shallow and generally less than about 2 mils; and ferrofluid in the radial gap under the other end of the second pole piece which forms a plurality of separate O-ring ferrofluid seals of defined pressure capacity, thereby providing a single-stage, ferroflu